Capsule Endoscopy

[milo2007]

Good evening just another question. I have had a negative biopsy and bloods are within range. Had a capsule endoscopy which pointed out one veins that may be bleeding and some lymphangiectasia cysts. I asked the question if I could have celiac disease but further into the intestine. They said nothing was guaranteed in life expect for taxes be death. Would the capsule have shown any inflammation or flattening of the villi. I have been off gluten for eight weeks and not really knowing what to expect. I have put some weight back on and my calcium level is 2.35 should between 2.1 and 2.6. Any advice greatly welcomed.

[Scott Adams]

You mentioned that you've been gluten-free, were you eating gluten daily before your celiac disease blood tests and the capsule endoscopy? If not, you could have false negative results.

Also, capsule endoscopy is not as accurate as a traditional endoscopy to diagnose celiac disease, and the study below found "The team's results show that small bowel capsule endoscopy can spot active disease with over 87% sensitivity, and 89% specificity."

 

[milo2007]

I had not stopped eating gluten at the time but I had not been eating very much at all. I became anemic, hair falling out etc. had occult blood in stool had an iron infusion etc. this was back in March. Had bloods last week and told all ok. Have vitamin d tablets and I have also bought a multi vitamin supplement. I had loose atools for years put down to anxiety etc. I am eating much better now fresh veg, fruit, fish chicken. I am afraid I have caused irreversible damage to myself. 

[Scott Adams]

So you've gone gluten-free and are seeing symptom improvement? If so this can also indicate that you do in fact have celiac disease, or at the very least, gluten sensitivity. 

Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.